Labour ‘not a serious party’: Migration madness as deportation flight images published .hh
Labour’s migration policy was slammed as the Home Office published images of deportation flights for the first time.
Footage released as migrants deported in government crackdown
Migrants resisting attempts to deport them are having to be carried on to the plane, it has emerged.
Labour today released images of migrants being returned to their home countries as it tries to “rebuild public confidence” and ward off the threat of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Any deportee deemed to be a high risk could require as many as four escorts, meaning a flight of 50 people would have 200 additional security personnel.
Each migrant is typically flanked by two to four people up the steps. Another will be standing by in case of violence.
Some migrants need four escorts if they are resisting boarding a flight (Image: PA)
The Home Office has published images of deportation flights (Image: PA)
The stairways are covered to prevent escape attempts (Image: PA)
About 10 per cent of migrants require force ranging from a “guiding hold” to waist or leg restraints or rigid bar handcuffs. If leg restraints are fitted, migrants have to be carried onto the plane.
Some 18,987 people – including foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers – have been deported since July.
The Home Office said 5,074 were forced returns of people with no legal right to remain in the UK, up 24% between July 5 last year and January 31, compared with 4,089 forced returns in the previous 12-month period.
But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP said: “Only 1 in every 4 of these claimed returns are actually enforced returns, the majority are conducted voluntarily. This is hardly a tough stance on the border when Labour still are failing to force illegals out of this country.
“Only a tiny fraction of these returns relate to small boat arrivals. They represent just 4% of those arriving by small boat – how can Labour claim allowing 96% of illegal small boat arrivals to stay is any kind of deterrent?
“Labour is not a serious party. Their position on the border seems to be to write ‘Come In’ on the White Cliffs of Dover.
“Labour has lost control of our borders with a 28% increase in illegal channel crossings since the election. Labour is weak on immigration and Keir Starmer is a weak Prime Minister.
“They have cancelled the obligation to remove people who entered the country illegally. They’ve created a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. They have failed to legislate for a cap on legal migration.
“Illegal immigration across the channel is 28% up under this Government – to 25,000 since the election. They have lost control of our borders. This is a weak Bill from a weak government.”
Most returns are voluntary, with people who do not have permission to stay in Britain able to receive payments of up to £3,000 to help resettle abroad.
Photos show detention custody officers escorting each individual as they walk up steps to board a charter flight.
It is understood the majority of people will board the plane unaided, but restraint techniques and equipment such as rigid bar handcuffs, waist restraint belts and leg restraint belts can be used as a last resort.
Asked on Monday whether there will be a “hostile environment” under this Government for people who are here illegally, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The rules need to be respected and enforced.
“The asylum and immigration systems are important, but for too long those rules just simply haven’t been properly enforced.
Labour are trying to ward off the threat of Nigel Farage (Image: PA)
The Government insists it is ramping up deportations (Image: PA)
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“That’s why we’re boosting both returns and enforcement.
“Nineteen thousand people who don’t have any right to be in the UK returned since the general election, and also a big increase in the illegal working raids and arrests (…) make sure we’re also going after the employers who are exploiting migrant workers.”
A total of 39 charter flights have been used since July, four more than in the same previous 12-month period.
Asked on Monday whether there will be a “hostile environment” under this Government for people who are here illegally, Ms Cooper said: “The rules need to be respected and enforced.
“The asylum and immigration systems are important, but for too long those rules just simply haven’t been properly enforced.
“That’s why we’re boosting both returns and enforcement.
“Nineteen thousand people who don’t have any right to be in the UK returned since the general election, and also a big increase in the illegal working raids and arrests (…) make sure we’re also going after the employers who are exploiting migrant workers.”
A total of 39 charter flights have been used since July, four more than in the same previous 12-month period.
Ms Cooper denied suggestions that the Labour government’s decision to publish footage of raids was in response to Reform UK’s poll ratings, instead saying it had been part of the party’s election manifesto.
Ms Cooper said: “To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show the rules are respected and enforced.
“That’s why, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we have put significant additional resource into immigration enforcement and returns, so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible.
“I want to pay tribute to all the Immigration Enforcement staff and other officials in the Home Office who strive tirelessly every day to make our returns system work firmly, fairly and swiftly.”
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